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Rainbows and the rainy season in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
Puerto Lopez sunrise rainbows are most common during the coastal Ecuador rainy season. The same is true for Puerto Lopez sunset rainbows. The rainy season, December through May, is also the time for cerulean blue skies. This causes confusion when people are planning their visit. They see blue skies on social media photos yet all of the guide books say it is the rainy season. When does it rain during the rainy season? Rain usually falls at night though certainly not every night. The above photo was taken at the Victor Hugo Hotel in February at 10:00 pm. Hours earlier, I walked there in the sunshine. I was drenched when…
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Palo Santo products made in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
For centuries, Palo Santo has been used for it’s healing and cleansing properties. The tree grows in coastal areas of South America, is in the citrus family, and smells of pine, mint and lemon. It is a relative of Frankincense, Myrrh and Copal. Palo Santo translates to “Holy Wood” or “Sacred Wood” in English. Dante Bolcato (top photo, lower left) makes products sold on his website, El Artesan, in Puerto Lopez. While walking along the malecon, you can find his store by following your nose – there is always Palo Santo wood smoking on the front sidewalk. In fact, in the evenings, you will smell Palo Santo smoking in many Puerto Lopez…
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Oeste de Puerto Lopez (West of Puerto Lopez), Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
You may be surprised to learn that if you cross the Pacific ocean 993 kilometers west of Puerto Lopez, you will be in Ecuador. Specifically, you will be in the Galapagos Islands’ Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Thanks to Hosteria Mandala‘s directional sign, you can find out how far it is to other places around the globe. A few distances from Puerto Lopez: Jacarta, Indonesia is 18824.80 km west. London, England is 9463.62 km NNE. Ottawa, Canada is 5210.32 km north. Nairobi, Kenya is 13999.18 km east. Buenos Aires, Argentina is 4331.64 km southeast. Cape Horn, Chile is 6143.12 km south. Come to Puerto Lopez, learn a bit of geography! __________________________________________ A look…
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Nets, Fishing Nets Made in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
As you walk around Puerto Lopez, you will likely find someone working on a fishing net. One of the steps in creating a new net is to string rope between two posts and attach the net. As one long section is completed, the rope is moved along and retied, finished portion on the ground. The fish market I wrote about recently (see it here) is behind the guys in the first photo. In the second, they are working along a river walk 5 minutes from the fish market. __________________________________________ A look back Last year, I wrote Nurturing Owl Parents.
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Mototaxis – Second Most Popular Way to Get Around Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
Walking is the most common way to get around Puerto Lopez. Riding in a mototaxi is second. Dogs welcome Puerto Lopez is a casual town. Sometimes you will even find a mototaxi driver who brought his dog to work. Hiring a mototaxi Wave your arm when an unoccupied mototaxi is approaching to flag them down. Unless they are already on a call, they will pick you up for your trip anywhere within Puerto Lopez. There is no central dispatch. If you regularly need pickup in less traveled areas, get a couple of driver’s phone numbers. Want an informal tour? Hire a mototaxi! Many drivers are…
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Lights Reflecting Off the Ocean, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
Stand at the end of the Puerto Lopez pier after dark. Street, building, and beach cabana lights dance to create a symphony of color reflecting off the water. The photo for E (see Emily in Puerto Lopez here) is a daytime picture from the spot above. Next, walk to the south end of the malecon to see the pier lights reflecting like in the photo above. The pier has all white lights. In this photo, many are turned off because it is after 11:00 PM, when about half of the lights go dark. Purple and red lights from the nearest beach cabana are the only cabana lights visible from this vantage…
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Kayaks, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
Puerto Lopez bay is a good spot for kayaking. There is even an annual kayak race. While contemplating what to write for K, I wished I had photos from the race. Then I looked at my April photos. What a nice surprise – I found several Puerto Lopez pictures with kayaks in the background. Perhaps “Kayaks in the Background of Puerto Lopez Beach Scenes” would have been a more appropriate title for this post. Kayaks are not the focal point of any photo here. Do you kayak? Several locations around town rent kayaks. Contact me when you are coming to Puerto Lopez and I will give you up…
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Internet Cafes in Puerto Lopez #AtoZChallenge
Many families in Puerto Lopez (and much of Ecuador) do not have internet at home. They do have internet needs – communicating with family abroad or school children who need to perform research. Internet cafes (cyber cafes) throughout Puerto Lopez fill both needs. You lease computer access for 15 minute intervals. School begins later this month, which means many internet cafes will be fairly empty while school is in session. They fill up as soon as the school day ends with kids researching subjects and catching up with distant friends. Internet cafes do not have wifi When you are in Puerto Lopez, your hotel will have wifi. If you need…
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Fish Market – Puerto Lopez #AtoZChallenge
Add the fish market to your Puerto Lopez bucket list. Fish, shrimp, octopus are weighed, sold and loaded on trucks. Fresh seafood for your next meal! __________________________________________ A look back Last year, I wrote Fireworks – Any time is the right time The photo for Coconut Water on Puerto Lopez Beach was also taken at the fish market.
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Emily in Puerto Lopez #AtoZChallenge
Popular spot – we waited while others photographed each other. Photo at the end of the pier, open since 2013. The hills, buildings and boats add color. ________________________________________________________ Around Puerto Lopez in 26 words. A look back Last year, I wrote Earthquake – The Night a 7.8 shook Ecuador
